Probiotics, Happy Healthy Flora & Bacteria

In the past decade there has been growing awareness of the important role of the human microbiota (all the bacteria, viruses and fungi) that live on and in our bodies.

Each and every one of us share our lives with a mini eco system that survive throughout our digestive tract. This bacterial community, necessary for our own survival consists of over 700 different bacteria. Poor dietary choices, antiobiotic therapy and stress may all contribute to an imbalance between “friendly” and “unfriendly” bacteria and yeast (intestinal dysbiosis) in the gut.

Topping up with friendly microflora may help to address this dysbiosis. The most common species used are lactobacillus or bifidobacterium, saccharomyces boulardii and other bacillus species.

Just as we need to fuel our bodies with food to exist, these friendly microflora also need to be fueled and non digestible carbohydrates are their main source (mainly oligosaccharides and non starch polysaccharides). The most common of these are fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), inulin and galacto-oligosaccharides, although these are found in various foods such as tomatoes, leeks, bananas, onions and garlic, they are also available either as a symbiotic preparation also containing friendly bacteria (in capsule or powder form) or as a stand alone preparation.